Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-03-31

bunch Of flowers on his bureau, and No
room in the house was such a model of
order.
One day as he sauntered into the par
lor toward dusk, hoping that his little
friend would come there with her basket
of mending and sit awhile, he heard the
rustic of feminine garments, and, look
ing up, saw that his landlady stood be-
fore him. Mrs. Dean was woman who
prided herself on her former dignity.
She wore very long and dusty alpaca.
1t being no longer within her limits to
trail silk, she trailed alpaca. Some per-
sons are of this mold. Her hands,
which she folded majestically, were
very grimy. Rogers remembered with
pleasure that Clarice was always neat.
"Mr. Rogers" began the lady with
unusual dignity, pray be seated. !
have noticed for some time past that
you have frequently of evenings found
your way into my parlor and passed the
time in conversation with my daughter
Clarice. | should not speak of this cir
cumstance had not events which have
already come to pass taught me to be
guarded. Clarice is no longer child,
she is woman, with all woman's read
mess to love pathetically. You, though
not young man, are bachelor, and |
ask you, as a mother, to spare my
daughters feelings. AS said before,
should not have spoken of this had
not II circumstance which transpired
this morning led me to believe it was
my duty, my most urgent duty. My
daughter is in the habit of assisting
| with the homework, in clearing and
putting in order the rooms of my gen.
tlemen boarders. This morning / en-
tered your room, expecting to find
Clarice distinguishing with all the
light-heartedness inspired by II we'll
fulfilled duty continued Mrs. Dean,
waxing eloquent. Imagine my con
sternation when found her kneeling
by the bedside, her face pressed against
the pillows, in tears. She sprang VI
and tried to hide her agitation, but
Mr.. Rogers, am widow with eight
children and large houseful of board
ers. can not have you triile with the
feelings of my daughter. If you arc
in earnest you must desist. " And the
lady applied handkerchief to her eyes
1t is said by some people that poverty
is degrading. 1t had certainly proved
so with Mrs. Dean.
Madam said John Rogers, with
dignity, rising and laying his hand on
the chair, "if | had not already learned
to love your daughter, this tale might
work upon my sympathies and appeal
to my honor, but it could never make
words of love pass from my lips that my
heart could not echo. / can not APP
plaud your course in revealing your
daughters emotion, and which she
would no doubt bitterly regret. / love
Clarice; she stole my heart when it was
sore and bleeding, and if have awak-
ened any response l am happier and
more honored man than had believed. "
He bowed with the gentle courtesy
which John Rogers always used to-
ward women, and passed out of the
COON, leaving Mrs. Dean very much re-
lieved, but somewhat Inundated. John
entered his room and shut the door He
struck light and turned on the gas,
pulled down the shade and stood IT.
resolute. Like one in dream he
went to the bedside and laid hi,
hand against the pillow. 1t was slight
ly damp. He sank down in chair
and covered his face with his hands
For long time he sat there motion
less; then he arose, took ont his even
: ing newspaper. and lighted his cigar al
usual.
7
, 1t was calm June afternoon.
, "John," said Clarice, touching hi
arm with IA certain timidity she ha,
t never quite outgrown, ''life is "A fair!
tale, and love is beautiful, only it come
in different way"
, "And this is the love we hav'
. dreamed Of And John Rogers looket
! into the dewy brown eyes of the littl
| girl in the calico gown and putting hi
t arm around her waist pressed her clos
a to his heart.
And the sunlight danced i'll at tn
c window and touched the sweet lip
7 learning to smile with heart content
Il and the grave, fond face of John Roe
il ers. And it folded them in its embrac
d warm and beautiful. bright and golden
It and it gloritied even the shabby littl
t clearinghouse parlor, and lifted
L "out of the common. Chicago TstI